Living as Everyday Easter People: Embracing Justice and Hope
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to live as everyday Easter people, embracing the hope and fullness found in the empty tomb of Christ. This hope is not just a seasonal celebration but a daily reality that empowers us to face feelings of hopelessness and anxiety with the assurance of Christ's presence. We delved into Acts 3:1-10, where Peter and John encounter a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. This narrative serves as a powerful illustration of God's justice, or "mishpat," which is deeply intertwined with righteousness and action.
Justice, as defined by the Scriptures, transcends political boundaries and is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. It calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, as highlighted in Micah 6:8. This justice is not merely about law and order or societal good but is a divine mandate to reflect God's love and righteousness in our interactions with others, especially those on the margins.
We are reminded that our knowledge of God and His Word must translate into action. Our obedience should not be outpaced by the accumulation of knowledge. Instead, we are called to be ministers of mishpat, servants of God's justice, who see and respond to the needs of those around us. This involves making margin in our lives for those on the margins, generously giving what we have received, and inviting others into the beloved community of God's family.
As we navigate the complexities of our cultural moment, we are challenged to repent of our participation in unjust systems, seek personal and corporate renewal, and actively work towards repairing broken systems. This journey requires us to be willing participants in God's mission of justice, driven by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
1. Everyday Easter People: Embrace the hope and fullness found in the empty tomb of Christ, which empowers us to face hopelessness and anxiety with the assurance of His presence. This hope is not just for Easter but is a daily reality that transforms our lives. [00:00]
2. Justice and Righteousness: Justice, or "mishpat," is deeply intertwined with righteousness and requires action. It transcends political boundaries and is rooted in our covenant relationship with God, calling us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. [44:28]
3. Obedience and Action: Our knowledge of God and His Word must translate into action. We are called to be ministers of mishpat, who see and respond to the needs of those around us, making margin in our lives for those on the margins. [48:20]
4. Repentance and Renewal: We are challenged to repent of our participation in unjust systems, seek personal and corporate renewal, and actively work towards repairing broken systems. This journey requires us to be willing participants in God's mission of justice. [01:17:19]
5. Beloved Community: Invite others into the beloved community of God's family, where love and justice are lived out in tangible ways. This involves generously giving what we have received and being willing to be disadvantaged so that others can be advantaged. [01:11:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Prayer
- [02:00] - The Call to Everyday Easter People
- [04:00] - Reading from Acts 3:1-10
- [06:00] - The Concept of Mishpat
- [08:00] - Justice Beyond Politics
- [10:00] - Righteousness Requires Action
- [12:00] - The Role of Prophets
- [14:00] - The Call to Act Justly
- [16:00] - The Gospel and Societal Transformation
- [18:00] - The Church's Role in Justice
- [20:00] - Seeing Those on the Margins
- [22:00] - Generously Giving What We Have
- [24:00] - Inviting into the Beloved Community
- [26:00] - Repentance, Renewal, and Repair
- [28:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 3:1-10
- Micah 6:8
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Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 3:1-10, what was the initial reaction of the lame man when Peter and John approached him? How did his expectations change after their interaction? [01:05:07]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the term "mishpat" and how is it connected to righteousness? [48:20]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of prophets in the context of justice and righteousness? [52:00]
4. What actions did Peter and John take that demonstrated their commitment to justice and righteousness in Acts 3:1-10? [01:11:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "Everyday Easter People" challenge the traditional view of Easter as a once-a-year celebration? What does it mean to live with the hope of the empty tomb daily? [00:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for justice to transcend political boundaries. How can believers ensure that their pursuit of justice is rooted in their covenant relationship with God rather than political ideologies? [44:28]
3. What does it mean to be a "minister of mishpat" in today's world, and how can believers balance knowledge of God's Word with actionable obedience? [48:20]
4. The sermon calls for repentance and renewal in the face of unjust systems. What are some practical steps individuals and communities can take to seek personal and corporate renewal? [01:17:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless or anxious. How can the hope found in the empty tomb of Christ empower you to face similar feelings in the future? [00:00]
2. Identify a situation in your community where justice and righteousness are needed. What specific actions can you take to address this situation in a way that reflects God's love and justice? [44:28]
3. Consider your current level of knowledge about God's Word. How can you ensure that this knowledge translates into action, particularly in serving those on the margins? [48:20]
4. Have you ever participated in or benefited from an unjust system? What steps can you take to repent and work towards repairing these systems? [01:17:19]
5. Think about someone in your life who is on the margins. How can you make margin in your life to see and respond to their needs? [59:28]
6. Reflect on the concept of the "beloved community." How can you invite others into this community, and what sacrifices might this require from you? [01:11:12]
7. What is one specific way you can be a willing participant in God's mission of justice this week? How can you involve others in this journey? [01:29:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Resurrection Hope
Embracing the hope and fullness found in the empty tomb of Christ is not just a seasonal celebration but a daily reality. This hope empowers believers to face feelings of hopelessness and anxiety with the assurance of Christ's presence. By living as everyday Easter people, individuals are called to let the transformative power of the resurrection shape their daily lives, bringing light into the darkest situations. This hope is a constant reminder of the victory over death and the promise of eternal life, encouraging believers to live with courage and purpose. [00:00]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How can you let the hope of the resurrection influence your response to a current challenge or fear in your life today?
Day 2: Justice Rooted in Covenant
Justice, or "mishpat," is deeply intertwined with righteousness and requires action. It transcends political boundaries and is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. This divine justice calls believers to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, as highlighted in Micah 6:8. It is not merely about law and order or societal good but is a mandate to reflect God's love and righteousness in interactions with others, especially those on the margins. [44:28]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek justice in your community, and how can you ensure your actions are rooted in your relationship with God?
Day 3: Translating Knowledge into Action
Our knowledge of God and His Word must translate into action. Believers are called to be ministers of mishpat, who see and respond to the needs of those around them. This involves making margin in their lives for those on the margins, generously giving what they have received, and inviting others into the beloved community of God's family. Obedience should not be outpaced by the accumulation of knowledge; instead, it should be demonstrated through tangible acts of love and service. [48:20]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Identify one area where you have knowledge of God's Word but have yet to act on it. What specific step can you take today to put that knowledge into practice?
Day 4: Repentance and Systemic Renewal
Believers are challenged to repent of their participation in unjust systems, seek personal and corporate renewal, and actively work towards repairing broken systems. This journey requires a willingness to be participants in God's mission of justice, driven by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It involves acknowledging complicity in injustice and taking steps towards systemic change, both personally and within the broader community. [01:17:19]
Amos 5:14-15 (ESV): "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
Reflection: Reflect on a system or practice you are part of that may contribute to injustice. What is one action you can take to begin addressing this issue?
Day 5: Building the Beloved Community
Believers are invited to create a beloved community where love and justice are lived out in tangible ways. This involves generously giving what they have received and being willing to be disadvantaged so that others can be advantaged. By inviting others into God's family, believers can create spaces where everyone is valued and supported, reflecting the inclusive and transformative love of Christ. [01:11:12]
Romans 12:9-13 (ESV): "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite into a deeper sense of community and belonging? What practical steps can you take to extend hospitality and love to them today?
Quotes
If you are someone who is experiencing a sense of hopelessness, you're wondering what's going on in the world, you are feeling like a sense of angst or anxiety, know that that is yes, one an empty feeling but two there is a fullness to be found in the empty tomb. [00:37:24]
We are everyday Easter people so for that feeling of hopelessness you may feel turn back to the empty tomb and know that the one who stepped out of that tomb is the one who is present with you today, tomorrow and forever amen. [00:37:24]
I would venture to say that our obedience is being outpaced by the knowledge that we're accumulating. And so today, as we continue in our series called Righteous, as we're talking about our mandate for righteousness, I've been tasked with walking us through, which actually is one of my favorite things to talk through in the scriptures, justice. [00:43:54]
When we look at mishpat, when we look at justice, what we find in the scriptures is this, is that oftentimes, the majority of the time, over 400 times the word mishpat is mentioned, most of those times, it is directly linked to the word righteousness. [00:48:01]
The Hebrew word is tzedakah, for all my Hebrew scholars out there. They're linked together. And here's where they are rooted in. They are rooted in the covenant and right relationship that God's people have with God. [00:48:20]
The first thing he says, and all of these things involve action, to do justice, to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. These are not terms of stagnation. I can't do justice sitting on my butt. I got to get up and go. [00:52:55]
Peter and John are on their way to the synagogue, on their way to the temple to pray at three o 'clock. This was a routine time for prayer for them. They're on their way to the temple. And as they're about to walk in, this lame man sees them and asks them for money. [01:00:05]
And Peter says this. Peter tells him what he doesn't have. Huh? Why would you tell him what you don't have? He says, silver and gold, I don't have. Well, what I do have, I deal with. Friends, our action step for this point is use what's in your hand. [01:06:48]
Mishpat says for broken systems and for broken uh uh and for those who are living trapped within those systems it is my job either to a repair the system or to pull you out of it and this man was trapped in a system that said listen the only thing you are good for is begging. [01:07:01]
Generously give what you generously received. And our third point is this, is invite into the beloved community. Martin Luther King Jr. was famous for this term, the beloved community, and he was talking about what it looked like for us as humans, not to be divided by hate, but brought together by love for our fellow man and woman. [01:10:21]
Here's another definition of mishpat, and this, okay, if it chaps your hide, it is what it is. Mishpat, justice, God's justice, is a willingness to be disadvantaged so that someone else can be advantaged. [01:12:56]
Repentance, yes, is a beautiful seedbed and soil for revival, but also it starts with me but it should spill into we you look at most of the great revivals through church history it started with someone who had some holy discontent they realized that the life that they were living yes it was good but it was not god's great and best for them. [01:17:44]
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